Air conditioning machine



March 22, 1938. J. F. CARLSON AIR CONDITIONING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 13, 1937 I INVENTOR Joigg FCa rjsm (M M QM ATTORISEYS J. F. CARLSON AIR CONDITIONING MACHINE March 22, 1938.

Filed Feb. 13, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 2 QNN , INVENTOR Jo/m E'Cadson I ATTORBTEYS I March 22, 1938. J. F. CARLSON I AIR CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 w a @s R 0 Y Q 9Q 93 w m .w\\ 1 it w NQWC y Q 1- F MN\. I, v \.N\ NY M.\\\\\\\\- NN\ mi Patented Mar. 22, 1938 NlTED STATES This invention relates to heat exchange apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for causing circulation of air and at the same time heating or cooling the air as may be desired.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for compressing evaporating and condensing refrigerant fiuid used in such apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for governing the flow of air through the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved heat exchange apparatus which is so designed as to be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and of compact self-contained form so as to be readily portable for the convenience of the user.

The invention is exemplified in a structure in which a shaft mounted centrally in and forming a part of an electric motor of any conventional type extends beyond each end of said motor and is fitted at one of its extending ends with a combination propeller and evaporator, and at its other end with a combination propeller and'condenser unit. This mechanism is enclosed in a. rectangular casing provided with a transverse partition dividing the casing into two compartments, and shuttered inlet and outlet ports are provided in the walls of each of the compartments. Baffle plates positioned within the easing guide the circulation of air through the vice in connection with its various functions.

Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, of which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the operating elements of the invention and a section of a housing in which the elements are mounted;

Fig. 2 is an end view partially in elevation and partially in section for illustrating the structure and manner of mounting a heat exchange unit in a. housi Fig. 3 is a fragmentary substantially vertical section of compressor and condenser units taken substantially along the line IHIII of Fig. 2;

and

Fig; 4 is a. crosssection of a motor shaft, on. a larger scale, and illustrating an arrangement of passageways therein.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises generally a casing H], a shaft I2, a. motor M, an evaporator member 23, a plurality of compressors 30, and a. condenser 81..

The shaft l2 forms a part of a conventional motor at (Fig. 1) and is journalled therein. by

2 means of bearings it. The shaft l2 extends beyond each of the ends of the motor It and is fitted at one of its ends with a. hub ll (Fig. 3) which is rigidly fastened thereon as by soldering or any other suitable means. The hub H is provided with an annular flange it upon which is fastened by means of soldering, or some other suitable means, the evaporator 22 which is in the form of a propeller comprising a hub portion 2i and a plurality of chambered blades 22 extending radially therefrom. The blades 22 are de-' fieoted at an angle from the general plane of the evaporator in any conventional manner so as to provide an air propeller effect when rotated.

A collector tube 25 connects the outer ends of the blades 22 and is providedwith openings 26 (Fig. 2) that communicate in fiuid tight relation with outlet. ports 2l in the outer edges of the blades 22 for communication with the interiors of the blades 22. An annular ring 22 of channel-like sectional shape, is provided to connect the outer ends of the blades 22 to support them and the collector tube .25 in assembled relation. The ring 28 also provides a support for the plurality of compressors. 3!) (Fl 3) -which are arranged in diametrically opposed relation about the shaft l2 as a center. While any number of compressors may be employedyonly one pair is shown in 'the'drawings to provide a complete exemplification of the invention.

Each compressor 30 comprises a cylinder 32 which is open at one end and provided with cylinder walls 33 and a closed end or base portion 34. The base portion 34 is supported upon the ring 28 and is securely fastened thereto by soldering or some other suitable means. The cylinder 32 is thereby supported radially of the shaft l2. A piston 35 provided with conventional piston rings 36 is slidably fitted within the cylinder walls 33 for reciprocal motion in the cylinderfor refrigerant compressing purposes. The piston 35 is connected at its upper end by means of a screw 31 to a yoke member 38 which extends diametrlcally of the piston and thence in spaced relation along the outer-walls 33 of the cylinder 32 and thence around and under the adjacent portionof the ring 28 thus encircling these elements of the mechanism.

A resilient bellows-like sealing member 39 comprising a series of folded elements 40 is soldered at one end about the upper end of the piston 35 and at its opposite end about the cylinder base 34 to normally urge the piston 35 outwardly of the cylinder 32 and to prevent escape of refrigerant fluid from the apparatus. Rings M of metal or rubber or any other suitable material are disposed between the folds 48 to support them in spaced relation against the action of external atmospheric pressure whenever low pressure conditions exist within the cylinder 32. The yoke 38 is rigidly connected at 42 to one end of a. rod 43 which extends radially toward the shaft I2 to a. position between the inner face of the flange I8 and a cup member 44 which is mounted rigidly upon the stationary supporting structure for the motor I4. The cup member 44 is formed with an internal elliptical shaped camming track 45 (Figs. 2 audit), the surface of which ,is parallel to the shaft I2, but at varying distances therer from. A roller 46 is pivotally mounted upon the lower end' of the rod 43 by means of a headed pin 41 for rolling engagement upon the track 45.

Thus rotation of the shaft I2 and the rigidly connected portions, including the hub H, the

evaporator 23, the ring 28, the cylinder 32, the

to produce reciprocative movement of the piston 35 relative to the cylinder member 32. A casing member 48 is mounted upon the flange I8, and a sealing ring 49 made of felt or other suitable material is fitted therein for hearing against the inner walls of the casing 48 and the outer walls of the cup 44 to prevent escape of lubricant from the cup member 44 and the casing 48. l

The collector ring 25 communicates through the base 34 to the cylinder 32 by means of an inlet port 55 formed in this base. The port 55 terminates in the upper face of the base 34 at an intermediate portion of the cylinder base 34. The port 55 is providedat its upper end with a reduced annular shoulder 68 which is beveled at its upper face to provide a seat for a conventional poppet valve 62. The valve 62 is provided with a headed stem 64 for connection with a coil spring 66 which is confined under compression between the headed portion of the stem 64 and the shoulder 68 to resiliently urge the valve 82 towards a seated position upon the shoulder 68.

. An outlet port 18 is provided in the base 34 and is fitted with a valve II which is resiliently urged toward a seated position against a valve seat 12 by means of a-spring 15. An outlet tube I1 is connected in fluid tight relation at one end to the outer end of the outlet port I8, and at its opposite end to a duct 88 extending longitudinally through the shaft I2. Transverse ports 82 formed in the shaft I2 adjacent its opposite end extend laterally from the duct 88 to points at the outer wall of the shaft I2 for communication through the hub portion 2| with the interiors of chambered blades 88 ofthe condenser unit 81.

A hub member 85 carrying the condenser 81 which is in the form of an air propeller is-positioned upon the shaft I2 in such manner that the ports 82 are in open communication with the interiors of the blades 88 through the medium of ports 88 which are formed in the hub member 85.

The outer ends of the blades 88 are interconnected by means of a circular collector tube 88 which communicates with the interiors of the blades 88. A pair of discharge tubes 85, extending diametrically oi the tube 88 are each connected at one of their ends to the collector tube 98 and communicate at their other ends with a duct I88 which extends longitudinally through the shaft I2 in parallel spaced realtion to the duct 88.

The opposite end of duct I88 is provided with an enlarged opening I82 to receive the outer end of a conventional poppet valve I85 and a coil spring I86 resiliently urges the valve I85 towards a seat I81 which is provided by the shoulder formed at the connection of the duct I88 to the opening I82. A port II8 connecting the duct I88 at a point slightly spaced from its connection to the opening I82 extends laterally through the shaft I2 to a point of connection with a corresponding similar port II2 formed in the hub II, which in turn communicates through an opening I I4 with the interiors of the blades 22.

One end of the spring I86 bears against the valve I85 and the other end bears against a. circular plate I28 which is fitted within the bore of the huh I! adjacent the outer end of the shaft I2. An adjustable cap member I22 which is mounted in screw-threaded relation upon the end of the huh I! supports a retaining member I24 in abutting relation against the end of the hub I1. An adjusting screw I26 is carried by the member I24 in screw-threaded relation and bears against the plate I28 at its inner end. Ad-

justment of the screw I26 thereby regulates the pressure of the plate I28 against the spring I86, which in turn varies the pressure of the spring against the valve I85. A circular bellows-like sealing member I38 is soldered to the outer end of the hub I1 and the plate I28 to prevent leakage of refrigerant fluid from the apparatus, regardless oi the position of the plate I28 relative to the hub II.

The valve I85 is provided with an axially extending stub portion I32 of such shape as to slidably fit within the duct I88 and to close the opening of the port I I8 whenever the valve I85 is in a seated position. An auxiliary bleeder port I33 extending from an intermediate point in the face of the valve seat I81 to the port II8 provides a by-pass to convey fluid which may escape past the stub portion I32 into the opening I82. This prevents accumulation of fluid "at this point which would otherwise prevent the proper operation of the valve I85. A stem I85 extending from the valve I85 cooperates with the plate I28 to confine the movement of the valve I85 within proper limits during operation of the mechanism. v v

The blades 22 and 88 of the compressor and condenser units 23 and 81 (Figs. 2 and 3) are similar in construction and each comprises a pair of wall plates I58 which are spaced one from the other at their intermediate points but converge at their marginal edges where they are secured in fluid tight relation by means of soldering or some other suitable method. There is thus provided at opposite end portions of the motor shaft a plurality of chambered propeller blades radiating from chambered similar hub-like portions with which such blades are in open communication. Arranged between the spaced walls of the blades are a series of baille members I portions I58, and inwardly inclined center por- .tions. l5'|.' Openings I58 are provided at the airtime junctures of the portions W6 and it'll. Bafles Ilttl consist of a pair of inclined portions Ni, and

an opening I162 is provided at the central juncunitary structure rotatable in the bearings I5.

The open spaces provided in the various elements of the combination are in open communication one with the other, except as may be interrupted by operation of the valve members 62, H and W5. This system of intercommunicating fluid containing elements is then filled with any suitable kind of refrigerant fluid, as for example, by forcing the fluid into the duct til at its end adjacent the condenser unit Bl until all of the air in the system is displaced and the fluid issues from the corresponding end of the duct ltll. The. ends ofthe ducts 8t and MW are then sealed by means of suitable plugs H5 and i116 (Fig. 3). All of the rigid connections between the elements of the rotating mechanism are made fluid tight, and the plugs Illt and H6 therefore complete the hermetical sealing of the refrigerant fluid within the device.

The motor it is rigidly mounted at it!) upon a pair of beams it! which are, in turn, suspended at their outer ends by means of coil springs 1182 from cross bars M5... The cross bars WE are connec'ted at llt'l to the upper ends of posts I128 which are rigidly mounted upon the casing it by rubber headed screws 589, the threaded shank portions of which .extend through suitable openings in the casing to engage threaded sockets wt] in the ends of the posts Wt. There is thus provided a cushion support for the motor it in the casing it whereby vibration of the motor will not be transmitted to the casing.

Screws Hll similar to screws H89 are threaded into suitable openings in the casing it to cooperate with the heads of the screws N39 to support'the casing uniformly throughout its extent in spaced relation from the surface upon which the device may be placed. 2

The casing ill comprises a rectangular box like condenser units, respectively, are adapted to rotate. The marginal portion 2M of the partition 2% disposed adjacent the motor it is formed of some flexible air-tight fabric or other suitable material to provide an air-tight partitioning effect without interfering with the slight rocking movement of the motor [It upon its cushioning supports net.

Each end compartment is provided .with a partition 205 extending substantially horizontally between th side and end walls of the casing it, adjacent the bottom wall of the casing but spaced therefrom and at the rear inclining upwardly toward the rear side wall of the casing. Each partition is provided withan opening 2% adjacent the central partition 2% and along the marginal edges thereof is provided with an upturned flange 2%. At their outer ends the partitions 205 are formed with downwardly and inwardly inclined end portions 2 l0, thus providing wells M2 for collecting condensed moisture thrown off by the mechanism. Connections for drawing ofl this accumulated moisture may be made to nipples 2 l5 extending through suitable openings through the well portion of the partition 2 it. Vertical longitudinal partitions 2H are provided adjacent, but spaced from the rear side wall of the casing l0 within each of the end compartments. They extend vertically from the lower partitions 205 to the top wall of the casing l0, and laterally from the central partition 200 toward each end wall of the casing it), but terminate at points spaced from the end walls. v

A pair of chambers 2 l 8 are thus formed between the rear wall of the casing, the top wall of the casing, the partitions 2H, and portions of the partitions 205. These chambers are closed at their ends adjacent the central partition 200 but' are in communication with the open compartments of the casing through the openings left at each of the ends of the partitions 2 H.

A pair of openings 220 and 22l are provided through the rear side wall of the casing l0 above the line of connection with the partitions 205. and to either side of the vertical partition 20!]. Another pair of openings 22t-and 225 through the rear side wall of the casing below the partition 205 and one to each side of the partition 200 is provided. A pair of openings 230 and 23|l are formed in the top wall of the casing in adjacent each end wall, and a pair of openings 235 and 236 are provided through thetbottom wall of the casing it to each side of the partition Zllil. Each of the openings leading from the casing is provided with a shutter arrangement which may be opened or closed by any conventional connecting means for adjusting the flow of air through the mechanism.

When the device is to be used for air cooling purposes, the shuttered openings 23!) and 235 are opened, and the shuttered openings 23l and 236, as well as the shuttered openings 220 and 22, are closed. The motor is turned on and the blades of the evaporator unit 23 induce a current of air up through the opening 235, through the opening 206 in the partition 205 and thence through the propeller blades 22 and against the end wall of the casing H] which deflects the current of air upwardly and out of opening 230. At the same time, the propeller Bl! induces a flow of air into the casing through opening 225, through the opening 206 in the partition 205 and thence through propeller 81! against the opposite end wall of the casing it, and thence laterally into the chamber 2H! and thence back and through the opening 22ll.

When the operation of the mechanism is for such cooling purposes, the air drawn into the casing chamber about the propeller 81 is taken from an outside source through the opening 225 for heat absorbing purposes and is returned to the outside through the opening 22 i.

It is to be understood that the operation of the apparatus can be reversed with regard to control of air therethrough, and'that the air circulated about the propeller blades of the condenser 81! can be employed for heating purposes, while the body of air circulated about the propeller blades of the evaporatorunit 2b can be taken from an outside source and returned to the latter. In fact, the openings in the casing compartments can be connected and arranged in various combinations to secure the desired treatment and with the cam track without the necessityof an inner track portion for the roller. Iv

Although only one form of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a heat exchange unit, a housing having a substantially fluid tight partition dividing it into two chambers, a motor mounted in the housing and having a rotatable drive shaft extending at" opposite end portions into the chambers, an evaporator mounted rigidly on one end portion of the shaft in one of the chambers and including fan blades extending radially from the shaft,

a compressor mounted upon the outer radial portion of the evaporator, means connected to said motor and compressor for operating the latter in response to rotation of said shaft, and a condenser mounted on the other end portion of said shaft and including fan blades extending radially from the shaft; said fan members and shaft having a system of intercommunicating conduits containing refrigerant and connected to inlet and outlet sides of the compressor to provide refrigerant circulation in cycles through the system to and from the compressor, each chamber having inlet and outlet openings for admitting and discharging air in response to operation of the fan blades in the chamber.

2. In a heat exchange unit, a housing, a motor having a rotatably driven shaft therein, an evaporator including fan members disposed rigidly and radially with respect to the shaft, a tubular ring arranged circumferentially about the outer ex- 3. In a heat exchange unit, a housing a sub-l stantially fluidtight partition dividing it into two chambers, a motor'mounted in the housing and having a rotatably driven shaft extending at opposite end portions into the chambers, an evaporator mounted rigidly on one end portion of the shaft in one of the chambers and including fan blades extending radially from the shaft, a compressor mounted upon the outer radial portion of the evaporator, means connected to said motor and compressor for operating the latterin response to rotation of said shaft, and a condenser mounted on theother end portion of said shaft and including fan blades extending radially from the shaft; said fan members and shaft having a system of intercommunicating conduits containing refrigerant and connected to inlet and outlet sides of the compressor to provide refrigerant circulation in cycles through the system to and from the compressor, each chamber having two sets of con trolled inlet and outlet openings for selectively admitting and discharging air from each chambar.

4. In a heat exchange unit, a housing, a,

motor mounted'in the housing and including a rotatably driven shaft, an evaporator mounted rigidly on the shaft and including fan blades extending substantially radially of the shaft, a compressor connected to the evaporator and disposed substantially radially of the shaft, means connected to said motor and compressor for operating the latter in response to rotation of the shaft, and a condenser mounted on said shaft substantially coaxially with respect to the evaporator and including condenser members extending substantially radially of the shaft; said evaporator, condenser and shaft having a system of intercommunicating conduits containing refrigerant and connected to inlet and outlet sides of the compressor to provide refrigerant circulation in cycles through the system to and from the compressor, said housing having inlet and outlet openings for admitting and discharging air in response to operation of the unit.

5. In a heat exchange unit, a housing, a motor having a rotatably driven shaft therein, an.

evaporator including chambered fan members disposed radially and rigidly with respect to the shaft, said fan members having a series of battles therein disposed angularly outwardly whereby fluid in the chambered fan members is urged outwardly of the latter in response to centrifugal force generated in rotation of the evaporator, a compressor connected to an outer radial portion of the evaporator and having inlet and outlet a central partition dividing the housing into two compartments, a driving shaft extending through the partition, means for driving the shaft, an evaporator including fan'structure disposed on one end portion of the shaft in one compartment, a condenser. including fan structure disposed on the other end of the shaft in the other compartment. a compressor connected to the evaporator; said evaporator, condenser and shaft having intercommunicating passages containing refrigerant and connected to inlet and outlet sides of thecompressor, means for operating the compressor, each compartment having a shuttered inlet port adapted to be opened or closed for admitting air, a partial partition in each chamber and disposed between an end portion of the shaft and said port to provide an opening to admit air from the inlet port to the intake side of the fan structure in the compartment, an auxiliary chamber formed in the housing and .having an opening disposed substantially at the outlet side of the fan structure for receiving air blown from the blade structure, said secondary chamber having an outlet port leading from the housing.

7. In a heat exchange apparatus, a shaft having means for rotatably supporting it, means for driving the shaft, fan members mounted rigidly on and extending substantially radially from opposite end portions of said shaft, conduits connected circumferentially about the outer end portions of the fan members, diametrically opposite compressers disposed adjacent outer extremities of fan members at one end portion of the shaft; said shaft, fan' members, conduits and compressers having inter-communicating passages containing refrigerant and constituting a .continuous circuit therethrough, and driving means connected to the shaft and compressers and responsive to rotation of the shaft for operating the compressers whereby the refrigerant is compressed and circulated through the passages.

8. In a heat exchange apparatus, a shaft having means for rotatably supporting it, means for driving the shaft, fan members mounted rigidly on and extending substantially radially from opposite end portions of said shaft, conduits connected circumferentially about the outer end portions of the fan members, diametrically opposite compressers disposed adjacent outer extremities of fan members at one end portion of the shaft; said fan members, conduits and shaft having intercommunicating passages containing refrigerant and connected to inlet and outlet sides of the compressers to provide circulation of the refrigerant recurrently to and from fan members at opposite end portions of the shaft, driving means connected to the compresser's and shaft and responsive to rotation of the shaft'for operating the compressers' whereby the refrigerant is compressed and circulated in recurrent cycles through said intercommunicating passages.

JOHN F. CARLSON. 

